Iligan-Lanao RFA accepts challenge to host Reg’l U19 eliminations on Jun 18-22
By Jack Biantan
The Iligan-Lanao Regional Football Association (ILRFA) has accepted the challenge to host Group F of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Boys U19 2022 Regional competition on June 18-22 at the Mindanao Civic Center in Baroy, Lanao del Norte.
According to ILRFA president Percy Olandesca, they have to thank Lanao del Norte governor Angging Gibranza Dimaporo for allowing them to use the sprawling MCC after Ozamis RFA and Pagadian begged off.
“The PFF wanted Ozamis to host the elimination but the local FA begged off. Then they asked Pagadian of the Zamboanga del Sur-Sibugay RFA. They also begged off because their pitch is not ready,” he said.
He added that he accepted the challenge for the ILRFA to host the tournament and did not waste time to ask permission from the Lanao del Norte LGU for the use of the Mindanao Civic Center. Another challenge came as MCC was used as a quarantine facility for COVID patients during the pandemic last year.
The problem was solved when the Lanao LGU through the efforts of governor Dimaporo and tournament commissioner Peter Laurence Legaspi disinfected the place and prepared the venue for the hosting.
MCC is now ready and the ILRFA cannot wait to host a national competition after many years. MCC was the venue of the Palarong Pambansa in 1996 when Lanao del Norte hosted the annual sports extravaganza.
Team coach Amor Tapion, an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Class B coach, is also positive that his players can do well against teams from Zamboanga Basilan Sulu Tawi-tawi Regional FA, Pagadian Zamboanga del Sur Sibugay Regional FA, and Misamis Occidental Ozamis Regional FA.
“The players were selected from various schools and clubs from the different provinces. The boys are hungry for success. They want to win and they play hard,’’ coach Amor said.
He also thanked the ILRFA president Percy Olandesca for the opportunity given to him to coach the team.
“The ILRFA has supported us 100 per cent. From Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur to Iligan they have supported us. Thanks to them specially our president,’’ he added.
Coach Amor also named the players. They are 1. Abasolo, Jaybe J., 2.Ali, Jhinno C., 3. Bargamento, Rome Vaulghin Y., 4. Bargamento, Shayne Milhaud Y., 5. Catalan, Rafael Onelle S. , 6. Chavez, Jett Ivan M., 7. Cuares, Aleksey Gabriel T., 8. Filosopo, Alexis Lawrence G., 9. Glodove, Carlos Leonard P., 10. Isola. Art Rey F., 11. Lara, Jose Lorenzo, 12. Nayawan Ihraghel G., 13. Lonoy, Dean Nicholie C., 14. Macabato, Jeffats, 15. Montecino, Angelio F, 16. Musa, Ashraf S., 17. Hinoo Micheal, 18. Quidlat, Adrienne Joshua V., 19. Rubio, Naethan Lenard O., 20. Sibla, James Andrew B., 21. Gaspar Allan , 22. Tam, Sean Maurice G. 23. Vicente, July S. , 24. Vicera, Cesar John G., Head coach - Amor Jun Tapi-on
Assistant coach - Monico dela Cruz Jr, Sub asst- Peter Legazpi, Medical Staff: Jimson Malolot and Carlo Navales, Admin: Ace Masilang. ILRFA Pres. Percy Olandesca, Team Technical Consultant Consor Manreza. ([email protected])
Iligan Lanao Regional Football Association (ILRFA) Boys U19 team prepare for the Group F elimination tournament which is set on June 18-22. Supplied Photo